Edward alexander matthias



E. A. MATTHIAS.

STOPPERING DEVICE FOR BOTTLES OR THE LIKE.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

STOPPERING- DEVICE FOR BOTTLES OR THE LIKE.

Application filed July 12, 1915.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, EDWARD ALEXANDER MATTHIAS, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Liverpool, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Stoppering Devices for Bottles or the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in that type of stoppering device for bottles or the like in which the stopper is provided with a wire frame adapted to engage ridges on the exterior of the bottle neck in order to press the stopper into engagement.

According to this invention, the bottle neck on its exterior is provided with two diametrally disposed projections and the stopper with a wire frame or yoke passing diametrally across the top of the stopper and preferably housed in a recess therein. The outer ends of the wire frame are provided with depending lugs or curved portions adapted to engage the projections on the bottle neck by partially rotating the wire frame about the axis of its limb which lies diametrally across the stopper. The projections on the exterior of the bottle neck may be of bulbous head formatlon, or 1nclined on their under surface, so that the lugs of the wire frame may engage beneath the projections with a wedging action, or the under faces of the projections may be straight.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1. is a fragmentary elevation of a bottle neck with the stoppering device in position. Fig. 2. is a section through the stopper of Fig. 1., showing the camber of the groove retaining the wire frame. Fig. 3. is an end view of Fig. 1., and Fig. 4. a plan of the stopper. Fig. 5. is an elevation analogous to Fig. 1. showing a modified construction of the wire frame, and Fig. 6. is an end view of the stopper and wire frame of Fig. 5.

In carrying out the invention the neck 1 of the bottle, jar, or other receptacle, is pro vided with projections 2 on opposite sides. These projections are curved or inclined on their under surfaces at one end, or they may be so curved or inclined at both ends. The outer faces of the projections are provided with raised beads or bulbous formations 4;, 5, the beads 4 near the curved faces 3 being, preferably, slightly lower than the beads 5.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

Serial No. 39,371.

The stopper 6, fitted with the usual rubber ring 7, or other flexible sealing element, is provided with a diametral groove 8 across the top. This groove, as shown in the section Fig. 2., is preferably deeper at its outer ends 8 than at the center, and a wire frame is provided, one limb 9 of which lies in the groove 8, lugs 10 on the wire frame having abutments 11 adapted to be engaged beneath the projections 2 by a rotary movement of the Wire frame.

In order to close the stoppering device the stopper 6 is inserted in the neck of the bottle with the lugs 10 raised or rotated to the dotted position shown in Fig. 3. and clear of the projections 2. The wire frame is then rotated about the axis of its element 9 lying in the groove of the stopper until the abutments 11 on the lugs 10 are caused to engage by a wedging action against the inclined surfaces 3 and pass beneath the projections 2. In order to permit of flexibility in this wedging action of the wire frame beneath the projections 2 the groove 8 is made cambered to each side as shown in Fig. 2., so that the element 9 of the wire frame bends or gives slightly as the lugs 10 engage beneath the projections 2. In order to retain the lugs 10 in their engaged positions beneath the projections 2, the beads 5 are provided as abutments limiting the rotational movement of the lugs 10, the beads 4% being made, as mentioned, of less depth than the beads 5, so that the lugs 10 may snap over the low headings 4c and be then retained in position between both headings at and 5, the lugs 10 being, however, capable of easy disengagement by pulling them backward over the beads 4.

With a view to permanently securing the wire frame 9 to the stopper 6 so that it may not become separated therefrom when the stopper is removed from the bottle or the like, a wire frame of the construction shown in Figs. 5. and 6. may be provided. In this arrangement the frame 9 is provided on each side with a loop 9 the indent 9" of which engages beneath the lower shoulder G of the stopper, the wire frame being sprung into position over the stopper and retained thereon between the diametral element 9 and the indents 9 In order to permit of the rotational movement of the wire frame about its element 9 to engage or disengage the projections 2, a portion 6 of the lower shoulder 6 is cut away 011 each side of the stopper to allow for the swinging movement ing a limb disposed in the diametral groove;

looped indents on the Wire frame engaging i5 beneath the shoulder of the stopper; and lugs on the Wire frame adapted to be engaged With the projections by a rotational movement of the frame limb about its ax1s.

In testimony-whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

EDWARD ALEXANDER MATTHIAS.

WVitnesses 2 7 A. J. DAVIES;

J. MCCORMICK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G. 

